Why is a reception area so important if we spend so little time in there?

Your reception area is the first point of contact for any visitors, be that current or potential clients and employees, so making the “face” of your business convey the messaging you want to communicate, you will attract the kind of business you want. In essence, you are presenting yourself with total transparency and leaving this person with an impression that you have curated and moulded.

Other than for your receptionist, a reception area is a place of transience. However, even though little time is spent here, first impressions are made quickly, and harshly, well in advance of any pitch. Many aspects of your business’ competence and level of professionalism are judged in this first interaction, based on factors like the manner in which they are treated, how long they have to wait, and where. By considering the power of a first impression when designing your office space, you can mould that impression ahead of time.

What furniture do I need in my reception?

To construct the barebones of the space, before any decoration, the most basic two things are seating and some kind of desk.

A Front Desk– the primary function of a reception desk is customer service, essential for answering questions, greeting, and potentially security. This could be a statement piece that draws attention, or perhaps something more simple. As long as the desk makes it obvious where to ask for help and has enough storage and space to keep the area clean and tidy, you’re onto a good thing.

Seating, for the waiting area– there is a wide range of options for seating, all with their own pros and cons; these options include, but are not limited to, sofas, lounge chairs, armchairs, bench seating, and modular seating.

What questions should I ask myself before I start shopping for reception furniture? What features do I need to consider when shopping?

A reception area is one of impermanence; where office chairs are designed for long-term sitting, reception chairs are designed for shorter-term sitting, meaning factors other than ergonomics come into play, though comfort is not to be overlooked. The desk should complement its surroundings and help create a flow in the space.

However, before investing too much money or space in your reception refurbishment, ask yourself if you’ll be receiving a lot of visitors. The answer to this will help guide your decision-making. A large space with a large reception desk and too many chairs that will remain vacant will be soulless and unwelcoming, defeating the entire exercise.

Also consider:

Aesthetics– your reception area is your first opportunity to market yourself, so you could opt to create some brand cohesion with the colours and textures of your furniture to create a well-coordinated and intentional image.

Space Efficiency– how much room do you have to play with? And therefore, what furniture suits your space? It’s important to leave enough room between seats for the flow of people, as that is ultimately the aim of the space, to have people moving through it.

Proximity– consider who will be waiting in these seats and whether they will be uncomfortable sitting directly next to someone they don’t know, which is probable with a sofa arrangement. Armchairs are a great option for individual seating, but they do take up a considerable amount of room.

Accessibility– to make your space the most welcoming it can be, perhaps provide a choice of seating for your visitors?

Comfort– choosing a comfortable chair is likely to avoid your guest fidgeting and becoming annoyed while they wait.